Read Online Kissing the Demons by Kate Ellis - Free Book Online Page B

smiled. ‘You haven’t seen your kids all day. I think going out tonight would be pushing things a bit with Jeff, don’t you agree?’
    Emily didn’t reply.
    â€˜Thanks for the offer anyway,’ he said flashing her a smile. ‘Do you think we’ve got any chance of finding this Jasmine?’
    Emily shrugged. ‘Jasmine might not even be her real name.’
    â€˜We need to talk to Norman Quillan. And hope he was the kind of landlord who did more than just collect the rent.’
    â€˜The interfering type, you mean?’
    â€˜Keep your fingers crossed,’ Joe said, turning his attention to the meal in front of him.
    Matt needed to share his unsettling discovery with his housemates. He needed them to know that Torland Place had once been known as Valediction Street and its name had been changed because of the notoriety of the very house they lived in. Maybe sharing the knowledge would render it harmless. Or, on the other hand, it might give the horror fresh life.
    He knew Jason was out busking – or earning a crust as he put it – and Caro was working in her room upstairs so when he heard a crash downstairs the sudden noise made him jump. Then he took a few deep breaths. Perhaps Pet had returned. Perhaps she was down there safe and sound. But somehow he didn’t feel inclined to investigate.
    He felt annoyed with himself for letting the house affect him like this. He needed a distraction and he was almost glad when he looked up and saw Caro standing in the doorway.
    â€˜You OK, Matt? You look stressed.’
    Matt turned his face away. ‘I’m alright.’
    â€˜You’re an idiot calling the police, you know. Pet’ll be furious when she comes back.’
    â€˜They had this address anyway,’ Matt said defensively. ‘They were looking for someone who used to live here.’ He hesitated. Maybe Caro would understand after all. ‘I’ve been doing more research on the Internet. This place was . . .’
    But Caro interrupted, rolling her eyes. ‘Just because of that stupid seance? Jason was pushing the glass.’
    â€˜Obediah Shrowton used to live here . . . in this house. This is where he murdered all those people.’
    Caro gaped at him for a moment before she spoke. ‘You are joking?’
    â€˜They changed the name of the road because of the notoriety. Torland Place used to be Valediction Street. It was this house, Caro. It happened here. Can’t you feel it? Since we moved in we’ve been at each other’s throats. There’s something bad here.’
    He’d expected a sarcastic response but Caro stood there staring ahead. ‘You’re making it up,’ she said half-heartedly.
    â€˜Look it up yourself.’
    She swore under her breath and Matt watched her face, satisfied for once that she was taking him seriously. This was the first time Matt had seen the normally cool Caro show any emotion. He found it rather unsettling. But it confirmed that the whole thing wasn’t in his head.
    He heard the front door open and bang shut and a few seconds later Jason was standing there, guitar case in hand. ‘What’s up?’
    â€˜Matt’s been doing some research.’ Caro said softly. ‘Torland Place used to be Valediction Street. Obediah Shrowton lived here. This is where he murdered all those people. Did you know about this?’
    â€˜No way. I had no idea. How could I?’ His mouth widened into a grin. ‘This is great. We can open up the place to ghoulish tourists. People love that sort of thing. The Jack the Ripper tours in London are huge business. We’re sitting on a gold mine, my friends.’
    â€˜Piss off, Jason,’ said Caro, looking as though she was on the verge of tears. ‘Its not funny.’
    Jason shrugged his shoulders. ‘I’m going to check out Pet’s room,’ he said.
    Caro straightened herself up. ‘What